LEWISTON — The Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce will host a Brown Bag Lunch program on July 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Chamber offices, 415 Lisbon St., Lewiston. The topic will be “Religious Requests and Accommodations in the Workplace: The influence of religious requirements on employment.”

Panelists include Barbara Lelli, chief investigator and compliance officer for the Maine Human Rights Commission; Dale Morrell, director of education at St. Mary’s Health System and long time local specialist in handling religious issues in the workplace; and employment attorney Rebecca Webber from Linnell, Choate & Webber of Auburn. Attendees can ask that particular issues be addressed. To do so, they should email those in advance to Rebecca Webber at [email protected].

The panelists will address issues ranging from requests to pray at work, fasting, proselytizing, requests not to work on certain shifts, requests not to perform certain types of work, preparations for prayer (such as cleansing) to requests for time off for certain events, religious garb, hairstyles, or other forms of dress, and more. Questions from the audience will be welcome. The object of the program is to increase the knowledge about certain religious practices, define what is a reasonable accommodation under the law, and identify work practices that create barriers as well as work practices and solutions that are recommended.

Those interested in attending are encouraged to register online at http://www2.androscoggincounty.com or call 783-2249 to reserve a spot. There is no charge but space should be reserved.

This is an unprecedented chance to speak directly to the chief investigator for the Maine Human Rights Commission!